The Design Cycle by Mr. Andrew Mcloughlin

 Mr. Andrew Mcloughlin made a power point presentation about the design cycle. He started by talking about solving a variety of problems, which is the base of the design cycle. He spoke about how people’s problems could actually work to their advantage, by effectively solving them. He emphasized that it takes imagination and curiosity to be successful.

Mr. Andrew informed the teams that they would have to make small personalized robots with various sensors which would have to solve the allocated design brief. He went on to explain about each phase in the design cycle.

1.       Identify a Problem

2.       Identify Criteria and Constraints

3.       Brainstorm Solutions

4.       Generate Ideas

5.       Explore Possibilities

6.       Select an Approach

7.       Build a Model or a Prototype

8.       Refine the Design

9.       Final Design Solution

Glimpses of the Presentation :

The design cycle from robongiers

Mr. Andrew also shared a video based on the thrilling potential of 6th Sense Technology.

The following challenge was given to the teams :

All the teams need to choose a problem from the options given below:

1. You have so many books and heavy equipment to carry to school you are already tired before you get there , design a product that will help you carry your equipment and also help keep you from tiring too easily.
2. You are on your way to Mars to start a new life. Design a product that will help you live a happy and healthy life on your new planet.
3.  You have an elderly relative who finds new technology difficult to understand design a product that will help them keep up with the modern world
4. Your pet looks sad, design a product that will cheer it up and make it happy 

Produce a sketch of your design which includes notes explaining features and the functions of your design idea this should be no bigger than A4.

Remember the design can be as inventive as you can imagine it doesn’t have to be realistic

 Clearly print the name of your school and team number on the sheet and hand your completed entry to Mr Andrew Mcloughlin on Friday morning for judging. You will be informed of the results at the end of Friday.